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New rumours Everton are interested in another Championship centre-back

By Matt Townsend

KUTAISI, GEORGIA - JULY 02: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of England controls the ball during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 Quarter Final match between England and Portugal at Shengelia Arena on July 02, 2023 in Kutaisi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
KUTAISI, GEORGIA - JULY 02: Taylor Harwood-Bellis of England controls the ball during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 Quarter Final match between England and Portugal at Shengelia Arena on July 02, 2023 in Kutaisi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images) /
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More transfer reports claim Everton are tracking Burnley centre-half Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who helped the Clarets gain immediate promotion back to the Premier League last season.

Harwood-Bellis is a Manchester City youth product who spent the last campaign on loan at Turf Moor and excelled as Burnley went on to win the Championship title.

Centre-back is not as immediate a priority as finding more forwards, but Everton have just recently been linked with a move for another Championship defender Blackburn’s Scott Wharton.

That is in perhaps part because the Toffees have released Conor Coady and Yerry Mina, while there are significant doubts about the futures of both Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite.

So while Sean Dyche has other areas of his squad that are in desperate need of strengthening, I think he will also have to bring in at least one new centre-back this summer.

21-year-old Harwood-Bellis seems particularly strong in terms of his ability to use the ball effectively and do the basics defensively such as being very solid in the air too.

All this would appear to make him a decent prospect and a player who could well become a genuinely top quality Premier League defender.

The Blues need better quality and strength in depth across their entire squad and central defence is certainly one area of the team that could do with improving.

As well as Everton, several other top flight clubs are supposedly interested in him and Burnley, unsurprisingly, are also keen to keep him next season.

Given the wealth of world class talent Manchester City have at their disposal, including at centre-back, it is not very likely Harwood-Bellis will be playing at the Etihad next season.

So, it would appear that the treble-winners will probably sanction Harwood-Bellis leaving again next season, whether on loan or perhaps permanently.

Could the next destination in his development be Goodison Park?

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